The Owensboro–Daviess County Ministerial Association will host the 20th Annual CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday. Organizers are inviting the community to walk in fellowship and solidarity with those facing hunger both locally and around the world.
With a start time of 2:30 p.m., the walk begins and ends at the GRADD Building on U.S. 60 West, with participants making a 2.75- to 3-mile loop along the Greenbelt. The event is not a race, but a gathering rooted in community and compassion.
“We’d be really happy if we didn’t need to do this anymore, but people are still hungry here and around the world,” said Rev. Dr. Claudia A. Ramisch, walk coordinator and president of the Ministerial Association. “One of the things that a CROP Walk does is demonstrate that we are interconnected. We need to be aware of hungry folks here and away. We need to be aware of chronic hunger and hunger caused by disaster or distress.”
Ramisch said that 25 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Daniel Pitino Shelter, which serves hot meals daily to both residents and neighbors through its soup kitchen. The remaining funds are distributed through Church World Service (CWS) to support disaster relief efforts and sustainable food programs in vulnerable communities worldwide.
“Sometimes, [CWS] are actually dropping blanket kits with basics for immediate relief after a flood or earthquake. Sometimes, they are helping farming cooperatives establish seed banks or learn to build sand dams to make them more sustainable,” Ramisch said. “There is a range of ways to reach the neediest.”
The local CROP Walk has changed shape over the years — shifting seasons, locations, and partner organizations — but one thing remains constant: the conviction that no one should go hungry.
“We bill this as a fellowship walk for two reasons,” Ramisch said. “First, we encourage people to walk and talk with people they may not know, or not know well. And second, because we want to be clear that we are doing this with each other — for the community — not as a competition.”
Ramisch said this year’s walk is especially meaningful, with Ramadan and Lent overlapping. She said both faith traditions call on believers to fast, give, and increase their awareness of others’ suffering — making this moment an ideal time to walk in solidarity.
Ramisch hopes the walk leaves participants with a deeper understanding of their neighbors, both near and far.
“Hungry people are just people, and walkers and pledgers are just people,” she said. “We could trade places many times in our life. What’s most important is that we see and care about each other — and show up for each other consistently.”
Before the walk begins, Daniel Pitino Shelter Executive Director Harry Pedigo will offer a prayer and a group photo will be taken. Participants are encouraged to wear CROP or justice-themed shirts.
While no donations can be accepted on-site due to security protocols, pledges can be made online or sent by mail, and all proceeds must be submitted by March 30.
For more information or to donate, contact the Owensboro–Daviess County Ministerial Association or visit the CROP Hunger Walk online.
